Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE ASSEMBLY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
100011 This application claims priority under 35 U. S. C 119(e) to U.S.
Provisional Application
No. 63/248,275 filed on September 24, 2021.
TECHNICAL FIELD
100021 The present invention is directed to a wiper blade assembly having a
novel center
mounting base for attaching springs and spoilers to an adapter holder, and
spoilers that have an
aerodynamic shape to deflect air flow and improve the performance of the wiper
blade assembly.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] The prior art wiper blade assemblies lack a center mounting base for
attaching springs
and spoilers that conform to the shape of a corresponding wiping element to
improve
aerodynamics, as in the present application. For instance, U.S. Patent No.
6,675,434 describes a
wiper blade 10 having a single spring-elastic support element 18, and a wiper
strip glued to the
spring-elastic support 18, see column 3, lines 52-62 and FIG. 5. U.S. Patent
No. 6,675,434 also
discloses an embodiment in which a base body 28 includes hook-like extensions
330 for receiving
the wiping element 320, see column 6, lines 20-54 and FIG. 10.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
100041 The present invention is directed to an improved center mounting base
for retaining wiper
blade springs and spoilers and for mounting the springs to an adapter holder.
The adapter holder
is configured to receive an arm adapter, which is used for attaching the wiper
blade assembly to a
wiper arm.
[0005] The center mounting base includes pockets to receive and secure the
springs, tabs to
secure the center mounting base to an adapter holder, and at least one
alignment hole for ensuring
the center mounting base is properly aligned with respect to the adapter
holder.
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[0006] The present invention utilizes a center mounting base that is formed to
provide a
continuous lower profile that is matched to a lower profile of a first spoiler
and a second spoiler.
These matching profiles of the center mounting base and the first and second
spoilers allows a
wiping element to be inserted into a first opening of the first spoiler and to
be guided through the
center mounting base into a second opening of the second spoiler, or allows
the wiping element to
be inserted into the second opening of the second spoiler and to be guided
through the center
mounting base into the first opening of the first spoiler. That is, the wiping
element can be guided
from either of two opposing ends of center mounting base via the first spoiler
or second spoiler.
100071 Two springs may be used in the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention, however, one or more than two springs may be used. The two
springs may be
retained in the center mounting base by a crimping process. This crimping
process ensures the two
springs are properly spaced and that the two springs are parallel to one
another. The center
mounting base may be made of a material suitable for crimping, such as metal
or plastic.
100081 A method of assembling the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention includes first sliding two springs into respective pockets
of a center mounting
base. The two springs may be first slid through a first side of the center
mounting base in a first
direction or through a second side of the center mounting base in a second
direction opposite to
the first direction. Both the first direction and the second direction may be
along a longitudinal
axis of the wiper blade assembly (e.g., a longitudinal direction).
[0009] The pockets are formed to substantially conform to the springs,
including conforming to
an entirety of a bottom surface of each spring and to at least a portion of a
top surface of each
spring. Further, the pockets are spaced apart by a gap and the gap of the
center mounting base is
for receiving a wiping element. Each pocket of the center mounting base may
include a lip for
engaging a side surface of the respective spring to lock the respective spring
to the center mounting
base.
[0010] Next, the center mounting base having the springs mounted thereto may
be mounted to
an adapter holder by engaging locking tabs of the center mounting base with
respective pockets of
the adapter holder, such that the center mounting base is fixedly positioned
below the adapter
holder. The locking tabs of the center mounting base may be provided on a top
surface of the center
mounting base and the top surface the center mounting base may be moved to
engage a lower
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surface of the adapter holder to force the locking tabs of the center mounting
base into the
respective pockets of the adapter holder, thereby locking the center mounting
base to the adapter
holder.
[0011] Next, a first spoiler is slid in a first direction onto both springs,
such that the springs are
positioned within closed pockets of the first spoiler, until the first spoiler
is positioned within a
first recess of the adapter holder. The first recess of the adapter holder may
have a cross-sectional
shape that corresponds to an outer cross-sectional shape of the first spoiler.
Further, the first
direction may be a longitudinal direction.
[0012] Next, a second spoiler is slid in a second direction, opposite to the
first direction, onto
both springs, such that the springs are positioned within closed pockets of
the second spoiler, until
the second spoiler is positioned within a second recess of the adapter holder.
The second recess of
the adapter holder has a cross-sectional shape that corresponds to an outer
cross-sectional shape of
the second spoiler. The first and second spoilers include a channel for
receiving a wiping element,
which may be designated a first spoiler channel and a second spoiler channel,
respectively. Further,
the center mounting base is provided with a gap for receiving the wiping
element.
[0013] Next, a wiping element is slid through one of the first spoiler channel
and the second
spoiler channel, then through the gap of the center mounting base, then
through the other of the
first spoiler channel and the second spoiler channel. The wiping element can
first be slid into the
first spoiler channel in the first direction or into the second spoiler
channel in the second direction.
[0014] Next, first and second end caps are installed by sliding to engage a
pocket of each of the
springs and to abut against the first and second spoilers, respectively.
Specifically, each of the first
and second end caps may be comprised of two pieces that engage one another,
including a first
element that receives the springs and the wiping element, and a second element
that receives the
respective one of the first spoiler and the second spoiler. The second element
includes two spring
securing protrusions (e.g., spring securing cantilevers) engaging two pockets
of the first element
of the end cap. That is, each spring securing protrusion engages a respective
protrusion of the first
element. Further, the two spring securing protrusions secure the springs into
a fixed position. The
first and second elements may be interconnected before the first and second
end caps are slid to
engage the springs and the respective first and second spoilers. The second
element may be
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positioned above the first element. Alternatively, the first element and the
second element may be
integrally formed.
100151 Further, the first and second end caps can be installed at any point
after the wiping
element, the first and second spoilers, and the first and second springs are
installed onto the center
mounting base, including before or after an adapter holder is installed onto
the center mounting
base and before or after an arm adapter is mounted to the adapter holder.
Alternatively, a single
spoiler can be used instead of two separate spoilers.
100161 The first element of each end cap may first be slid into the two
springs, and once fully
engaged (e.g., the springs extend an entire length of respective spring
pockets), the second element
of each end cap may then be moved to engage the first element and a respective
one of the first
and second spoilers by inserting the spring securing protrusions of the second
element into the
engaging pockets of the first element. As set forth above, the second element
of each end cap
includes an interior surface haying a cross-sectional profile that may be
exactly the same, or may
be substantially the same as an outer cross-sectional profile of a respective
one of the first and
second spoilers, so as so engage an outer surface of the respective one of the
first and second
spoilers. The second element of each end cap may have a force-fit connection
with the respective
one of the first and second spoilers so as to engage an entirety or less than
an entirety of an outer
surface of the respective of the first and second spoilers.
100171 That is, each end cap includes two pockets, and each pocket of each end
cap engages a
notch of each spring for locking the end cap to the spring. Further, each end
cap includes a cross-
section shape in the longitudinal direction that corresponds to the cross-
sectional shape of the
respective one of the first and second spoilers. Further, each end cap
includes a recess having the
cross-section shape in the longitudinal direction that corresponds to the
cross-sectional shape of
the respective one of the first and second spoilers, and the recess receives
the respective one of the
first and second spoilers to lock the springs and the respective one of the
first and second spoilers
in place.
100181 Each of the first and second spoilers may have a continuous profile
along its entire length.
100191 Further, each end cap may include two protrusions for engaging notches
of the springs.
That is, the springs are arranged such that the respective notches face
outside of the wiper blade
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assembly in opposite directions, and the two protrusions of each end cap
engage the two notches
of the two springs, to lock the end cap to the springs.
100201 After the first and second end caps are installed onto the wiper blade
assembly, an arm
adapter is installed onto the adapter holder in a manner known in the art.
100211 The wiping element may be comprised of materials known in the art, such
as natural and
synthetic rubbers, including natural or synthetic polyisoprene, butadiene,
ethylene-propylene-
diene rubber, neoprene or blends thereof.
100221 Each spoiler includes two closed pockets (e.g., pockets having a closed
profile). Each
closed pocket of each spoiler may receive a respective spring, including by
sliding the respective
spoiler with respect to the respective spring, or vice versa.
100231 The springs may have a length extending past the spoilers for attaching
an end cap to the
springs. The portion of each spring extending past the spoilers may include a
notch. Each spring
may include two notches formed on opposite sides, each notch being configured
to secure an end
cap. Adjacent to each notch is a lead-in angle or chamfer to allow the end cap
to be more easily
inserted into the spring. The notches of the springs are located at a same
first side, and the first
side may face a direction that is perpendicular to a vertical axis of the
wiper blade assembly.
100241 Further scope of applicability of the invention will become apparent
from the detailed
description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the
detailed description and
specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by
way of illustration
only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the
invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
100251 The present invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed description
given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of
illustration only,
and thus are not limitative according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
100261 FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a wiper blade assembly in a fully
assembly state according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
100271 FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the wiper blade assembly in its fully
assembled state
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the wiper blade
assembly in its fully
assembled state about A-A of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade assembly about
section B-B of FIG. 2.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade assembly about
section c-C of FIG. 2.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade assembly about
section D-D of FIG.
2.
[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a spring according to an embodiment of
the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the spring according to an embodiment
of the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the spring according to an embodiment
of the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a center mounting base according to
an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 11 illustrates an end view of the center mounting base according
to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a side view of the center mounting base according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the center mounting base according to
an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 14 is a top view of two springs that are aligned for mounting to
the center mounting
base assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 15 is a top view of the two springs assembled to the center
mounting base according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
100411 FIG. 16 is an end view of the two springs assembled/mounted to the
center mounting base
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 17 is a side view of the two springs according to an embodiment of
the present
invention assembled/mounted to the center mounting base.
[0043] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the two springs according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
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[0044] FIG. 19 is a top view of an adapter holder according to an embodiment
of the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 20 is an end view of the adapter holder according to an embodiment
of the present
invention.
[0046] FIG. 21 is a side view of the adapter holder according to an embodiment
of the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the adapter holder according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0048] FIG. 23 is a top view of a spoiler according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
100491 FIG. 24 is an end view of the spoiler according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0050] FIG. 25 is a side view of the spoiler according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0051] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the spoiler according to an embodiment
of the present
invention.
[0052] FIG. 27 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly of the present
invention including the
adapter holder, the spoiler, the springs and the center mounting base.
[0053] FIG. 28 is an end view of the wiper blade assembly of the present
invention.
[0054] FIG. 29 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly of the present
invention.
100551 FIG. 30 is a bottom view of the wiper blade assembly of the present
invention.
[0056] FIG. 31 is a top perspective view of the wiper blade assembly of the
present invention
100571 FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective view of the wiper blade assembly of the
present invention.
[0058] FIG. 33 is a top view of a first element of each end cap according to
an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 34 is a side view of the first element of the end cap according to
an embodiment of
the present invention.
100601 FIG. 35 is an end view of the first element of the end cap, showing the
two
pockets/grooves receiving the two springs and the space between the two
longitudinal pockets for
receiving a wiping element according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0061] FIG. 36 is a top view of a second element of the end cap according to
an embodiment of
the present invention.
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[0062] FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the second element of the end cap
about section A-A
of FIG. 36 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] FIG. 38 is a side view of the second element of the end cap according
to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0064] FIG. 39 is an end view of the second element of the end cap according
to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0065] FIG. 40 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0066] FIG. 41 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0067] FIG. 42 is an end view of the wiper blade assembly of the present
invention.
[0068] FIG. 43 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0069] FIG. 44 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0070] FIG. 45A is an end view and FIG. 45B is a cross-sectional view about
section A-A in
FIG. 44 of the wiper blade assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
100711 FIG. 46 is a top view of a wiping element according to an embodiment of
the present
invention.
[0072] FIG. 47 is a side view of the wiping element according to an embodiment
of the present
invention.
100731 FIG. 48 is an end view of the wiping element according to an embodiment
of the present
invention.
100741 FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the wiping element according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0075] FIG. 50 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
100761 FIG. 51 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
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[0077] FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the wiper blade assembly according to
an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0078] FIG. 53 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0079] FIG. 54 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0080] FIG. 55 is an end view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0081] FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the wiper blade assembly according to
an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0082] FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the wiper blade assembly according to
an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0083] FIG. 58 is a side view of a spring according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0084] FIG. 59 is a top view of a spring according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0085] FIG. 60 is a top view of two springs installed onto the center mounting
base according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0086] FIG. 61 is a side view of the springs installed onto the center
mounting base according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0087] FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view of the springs installed onto the
center mounting base
according to an embodiment of the present invention about section A-A of FIG.
61.
[0088] FIG. 63 is a cross-sectional view of the springs installed onto the
center mounting base
according to an embodiment of the present invention about section B-B of FIG.
60.
[0089] FIG. 64 is a cross-sectional view of the springs installed onto the
center mounting base
according to an embodiment of the present invention about section C-C of FIG.
60.
100901 FIG. 65 is a side view of the end cap according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0091] FIG. 66 is a bottom view of the end cap according to an embodiment of
the present
invention.
[0092] FIG. 67 is an end view of the end cap according to an embodiment of the
present
invention.
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[0093] FIG. 68 is bottom perspective view of the end cap according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
[0094] FIG. 69 is a top perspective view of the end cap according to an
embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0095] The present invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying
drawings, wherein the same reference numerals have been used to identify the
same or similar
elements throughout the several views. The term "may" used throughout the
specification is
interchangeable with "can" and is used to provide alternatives to the design
of the wiper blade
assembly.
[0096] As shown in FIGs. 1-69, a wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention includes an arm adapter 1 (e.g., wiper arm adapter), an
adapter holder 2, spoilers
3, end caps 4, a center mounting base 5, springs 6 and a wiping element 7.
Wiping element 7 can
also be referred to as a "squeegee" or in any known manner, and can be
comprised of rubber,
synthetic rubber, other synthetic elastomeric materials, such as silicone,
plastic, thermoplastic and
the like. The arm adapter 1 and the adapter holder 2 may be universally
designed, so they can be
attached to any known wiper arm. Further, there may be a single arm adapter 1,
a single adapter
holder 2, two spoilers 3, two end caps 4, a single center mounting base 5, two
springs 6 and a
single wiping element 7. However, one spring 6 or more than two springs 6 may
be used, and two
or more wiping elements 7 may be used.
[0097] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the wiper blade assembly in a fully
assembly state, with
end caps 4 installed at either end (e.g., both longitudinal ends) of the wiper
blade assembly
according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a side
view of the wiper
blade assembly in its fully assembled state according to an embodiment of the
present invention,
including the end caps 4, including the two springs 6, the wiping element 7,
the first and second
spoilers, the first element 4.1 of each end cap 4 and the second element 4.2
of each end cap 4, the
spoilers 3, the center mounting base 5, the adapter holder 2 (e.g., universal
adapter holder), and
the arm adapter 1. In the figures, first element 4.1 is referred to as #4.1
end cap, and likewise,
second element 4.2 is referred to as #4.2 end cap. FIG. 3 illustrates a side
cross-sectional view of
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the wiper blade assembly in its fully assembled state about A-A of FIG. 1
according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIGs. 1-3 illustrate the same wiper blade
assembly, with
differing views to aid in the understanding of the invention. The term
"squeegee" is
interchangeable with "wiper," and the "squeegee length" in FIG. 3 refers to
the length of the wiper.
100981 Each component of the wiper blade assembly according to all of the
embodiments of the
present invention can be made of any known type of material, such as plastic,
thermoplastic,
rubber, synthetic rubber, metal, and the like.
100991 FIGs. 4-6 illustrate cross-sectional views of the wiper blade assembly
about section B-B,
section C-C and section D-D of FIG. 2, respectively, according to an
embodiment of the present
invention. That is, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade
assembly about section B-B
of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade assembly about
section C-C of FIG.
2, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper blade assembly about
section D-D of FIG. 2.
1001001 FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a spring 6 according to an embodiment
of the present
invention, including a notch at first and second ends of the spring 6 to fix a
respective end cap 4
thereto and a chamfered portion adjacent to each notch to allow for each end
cap 4 to be more
easily installed onto the springs 6. Two springs 6 are used in each wiper
blade assembly, and the
two springs 6 are arranged such that the notches face opposing directions.
1001011 The notches of a first spring face a third direction that is
perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction, and the notches of the second spring face a fourth direction that
is opposite to the third
direction. More specifically, the first spring includes a first notch and a
second notch, the first
notch of the first spring engages a first protrusion of the first end cap, and
the second notch of the
first spring engages a first protrusion of the second end cap. Similarly, the
second spring includes
a first notch and a second notch, the first notch of the second spring engages
a second protrusion
of the first end cap, and the second notch of the second spring engages a
second protrusion of the
second end cap.
1001021 FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a single spring 6 to provide a
perspective of a spring
height relative to the spring length according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
1001031 FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a spring 6 showing a first notch at a
first end and a second
notch at a second end, each of the first notch and the second notch facing a
same direction (e.g.,
third direction) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further,
each spring 6 is
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provided with an alignment hole and a "lead-in angle" or chamfer for leading
in or permitting easy
(e.g., easier) insertion of an end cap 4.
1001041 FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the center mounting base 5 according
to an embodiment
of the present invention, including protrusions formed on a top surface of the
center mounting base
for engaging respective pockets of the adapter holder 2.
1001051 FIG. 11 illustrates an end view of the center mounting base 5
according to an embodiment
of the present invention, which shows two open pockets for receiving two
springs 6 and a gap
between the two pockets for receiving a wiping element 7 therethrough. The
wiping element 7
engages the center mounting base 5 and is locked in place by having a shape
that fits within the
gap.
1001061 FIG. 12 is a side view of the center mounting base 5, showing the
height of the center
mounting base 5 relative to the length of the center mounting base 5 according
to an embodiment
of the present invention. Further, FIG. 12 illustrates a concave shape of the
center mounting base
5 along its longitudinal axis, in which a lower portion (e.g., lower surface)
of the center mounting
base 5 that retains the wiping element 7 has a curvature that simulates (e.g.,
substantially matches)
the curvature of a windshield. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the bottom surface
of the center mounting
base 5 optimally has a radius of curvature between 1,700 and 2,000 mm in order
to improve contact
with the windshield. After assembly, the lower portion of the center mounting
base 5 matches a
lower portion of the spoiler 3, providing a matching transition between the
spoiler 3 and the center
mounting base 5. This concave shape of the center mounting base 5 is an
essential component to
the wiper blade assembly of the present invention.
1001071 FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the center mounting base 5 including
the tabs (e.g.,
locking tabs) to secure the center mounting base 5 to the adapter holder 2,
and alignment holes
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The alignment holes of
the center mounting
base 5 align with corresponding alignment holes of the adapter holder 2.
1001081 FIG. 14 is a top view of two springs 6 that are aligned for mounting
to the center mounting
base 5 and each of the two springs 6 have notches facing opposing directions
for attachment to the
end caps 4 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1001091 FIG. 15 is a top view of the two springs 6 assembled to the center
mounting base 5
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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[00110] FIG. 16 is an end view of the two springs 6 assembled/mounted to the
center mounting
base 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
16, the springs 6
are housed/assembled into corresponding grooves of the center mounting base.
FIG 17 is a side
view of the two springs 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention
assembled/mounted
to the center mounting base 5. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the two
springs 6 according to an
embodiment of the present invention assembled/mounted to the center mounting
base 5. The center
mounting base 5 is crimped to the two springs 6 to lock the center mounting
base 5 to the two
springs 6. Specifically, the center mounting base 5 is crimped along the
sides, as shown in FIG.
18, and may be comprised of an elastic material, such as a metal including
steel, aluminum, or the
like to allow for the crimping operation. A longitudinal center portion of the
center mounting base
can be raised in relation to longitudinal sides of the center mounting base 5,
with the longitudinal
sides housing the springs 6, as shown in FIG. 18.
[00111] FIG. 19 is a top view of the adapter holder 2 according to an
embodiment of the present
invention illustrating the length of the adapter holder 2 relative to the
width of the adapter holder
2, and pockets for receiving locking tabs of the center mounting base 5. The
adapter 2 includes
alignment holes that permit easy alignment of the universal arm adapter.
[00112] FIG. 20 is an end view of the adapter holder 2 according to an
embodiment of the present
invention illustrating a recess shaped to receive a respective spoiler 3. The
recess of the adapter
holder 2 faces outside of the adapter holder 2, and the adapter holder 2
includes two recesses, a
first recess at a first side and a second recess at a second side. The first
recess receives and engages
a first spoiler 3, and the second recess receives and engages a second spoiler
3. Each of the first
spoiler 3 and the second spoiler 3 have a shape corresponding to (e.g., having
the same shape as
or having a similar shape to) the first recess and the second recess of the
adapter holder 2. That is,
the adapter holder 2 is shaped to lock/fix the first and second spoilers in
place, including having a
rounded top portion, which restricts (or completely eliminates) downward
movement
(perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the adapter holder 2) to aid
in locking the first and
second spoilers 3 in place.
[00113] Each of the first and second recesses of the adapter holder 2 can be
comprised of an elastic
(e.g., flexible) material in order to aid installation of the first and second
spoilers 3. Elastic
materials can include rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone
rubber, urethane rubbers,
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polyether rubbers, chloroprene rubber, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) rubber,
etc. Alternatively,
each of the first and second recesses of the adapter holder 2 can be comprised
of any known type
of plastic, thermoplastic or metal
1001141 FIG. 21 is a side view of the adapter holder 2 according to an
embodiment of the present
invention illustrating a top surface having an area (e.g., groove) for
receiving an arm adapter 1,
and illustrating the height of the adapter holder 2 relative to the length of
the adapter holder 2.
1001151 FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the adapter holder 2 according to an
embodiment of the
present invention. The adapter holder 2 is shown with pockets to receive
locking tabs of the center
mounting base 5. The adapter holder 2 is constructed to receive and attach,
via clips and or any
manner known in the art, to a universal arm adapter.
1001161 FIG. 23 is a top view of the spoiler 3 according to an embodiment of
the present invention,
illustrating the spoiler length relative to the spoiler width.
1001171 FIG. 24 is an end view of the spoiler 3 according to an embodiment of
the present
invention illustrating two pockets for receiving the two springs 6 and an area
between the two
pockets for receiving a wiping element 7. The two pockets of the spoiler 3
have a closed cross-
section. Each spoiler 3 is provided with a circular hole extending along an
entire length to improve
flexibility of the spoiler 3 and to improve contact of the wiper blade
assembly to a windshield, thus
improving performance of the wiper blade assembly.
1001181 FIG. 25 is a side view of the spoiler 3 according to an embodiment of
the present
invention, illustrating the spoiler length relative to the spoiler height.
1001191 FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the spoiler 3 according to an
embodiment of the present
invention. The spoilers 3 have a curved shape on both sides that deflects air
flow to improve
aerodynamics by having a continuous profile. Additionally, each of the
spoilers 3 are provided
with pockets for receiving the two springs 6. Each of the pockets can have a
closed cross-section
to completely encompass (e.g., completely surround) a respective one of the
two springs 6.
1001201 FIG. 27 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs 6
and the center
mounting base 5, but without end caps 4 being shown.
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[00121] FIG. 28 is an end view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs 6
and the center
mounting base 5.
[00122] FIG. 29 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs 6
and the center
mounting base 5.
[00123] FIG. 30 is a bottom view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs 6
and the center
mounting base 5. A continuous channel is formed through each spoiler 3 (e.g.,
through a bottom
surface of each spoiler 3) and the center mounting base 5 for receiving a
wiping element 7.
[00124] FIG. 31 is a top perspective view of the wiper blade assembly
according to an embodiment
of the present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the
springs 6 and the center
mounting base 5.
[00125] FIG. 32 is a bottom perspective view of the wiper blade assembly
according to an
embodiment of the present invention including the adapter holder 2, the
spoiler 3, the springs 6
and the center mounting base 5.
[00126] FIG. 33 is a top view of the first element 4.1 of each end cap 4
(e.g., two end caps 4 are
used for the wiper blade assembly) according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The first
element 4.1 includes two vertical pockets (e.g., vertically extending pockets)
extending through a
height of the first element 4.1 to receive two longitudinal
protrusions/cantilevers of the second
element 4.2, and two pockets/grooves extending through the length of the first
element 4.1 to
receive the two springs 6.
[00127] FIG. 34 is a side view of the first element 4.1 of the end cap 4
according to an embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 35 is an end view of the first element 4.1 of
the end cap 4, showing
the two pockets/grooves receiving the two springs 6 and the space between the
two longitudinal
pockets for receiving the wiping element 7 according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[00128] FIG. 36 is a top view of the second element 4.2 of the end cap 4
according to an
embodiment of the present invention. The second element 4.2 of the end cap 4
includes a curved
top surface to match with a shape of the spoiler 3 and to provide enhanced
aerodynamics. That is,
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the interior surface of the second element 4.2 of the end cap 4 has a shape
corresponding to a shape
of a top surface of the spoiler 3, such that the spoiler 3 fits within the
second element 4.2.
1001291 FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the second element 4.2 of the end
cap 4 about section
A-A of FIG. 36 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1001301 FIG. 38 is a side view of the second element 4.2 of the end cap 4
according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 38 illustrates the end cap
protrusion that will engage a
corresponding notch of a spring 6. That is, each second element 4.2 will
include two end cap
cantilevers protrusions, which engage the pockets of the first element 4.1
(the pockets are shown
and labeled in FIG. 33).
1001311 FIG. 39 is an end view of the second element 4.2 of the end cap 4
according to an
embodiment of the present invention, including a recess for receiving the
spoiler 3, an outer
aerodynamic shape to match the shape of the spoiler 3, and spring securing
cantilevers for engaging
the vertical pockets of the first element 4.1 of the end caps 4. Each of the
spring securing
cantilevers can be comprised of a flexible (e.g., elastic) material. Further,
each of the spring
securing cantilevers have a locking protrusion, which is labeled in FIG. 39,
to engage a lower
surface of the first element 4.1 to lock (e.g., fix) the first element 4.1 in
place.
1001321 FIG. 40 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5 and the first elements 4.1 of the end caps 4. The spring holes are to
be aligned with the end
cap holes.
1001331 FIG. 41 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention, including the adapter holder 2, the spoilers 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5 and the first elements 4.1 of the end caps 4. The first element 4.1 of
each end cap 4 is first
slid onto the springs 6. First, the spoilers 3 are assembled to the center
mounting base 5 by sliding
the spoilers 3 into a corresponding groove (e.g., aperture, hole, etc.). Next,
two springs 6 are
assembled to the spoiler(s) 3 by sliding into corresponding groves of the
spoiler(s), which are
shown in FIG. 26. Notches of the springs 6 face away from each other, to allow
for mounting of
the end caps 4 to the springs 6. Then, the first element 4.1 of each end cap 4
is slid onto the springs
6. FIG. 35 illustrates the pockets of each first element 4.1 to receive the
springs 6.
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[00134] FIG. 42 is an end view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5 and the first element 4.1 of the end caps 4.
[00135] FIG. 43 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5, and a first end cap 4 having the second element 4.2.
[00136] FIG. 44 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5, and a first end cap 4 having the second element 4.2.
1001371 FIG. 45A is an end view and FIG. 45B is a cross-sectional view about
section A-A in
FIG. 44 of the wiper blade assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention
including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs 6, the center
mounting base 5, and the first
end cap 4 having both the first element 4.1 and the second element 4.2 at a
first side and a second
side provided without an end cap 4.
[00138] FIG. 46 is a top view of the wiping element 7 according to an
embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the length of the wiping element 7 with respect to the
width of the wiping
element 7.
1001391 FIG. 47 is a side view of the wiping element 7 according to an
embodiment of the present
invention, illustrating the height of the wiping element 7 with respect to the
length of the wiping
element 7.
[00140] FIG. 48 is an end view of the wiping element 7 according to an
embodiment of the present
invention. The wiping element 7 is assembled to the spoiler 3 by sliding the
wiping element 7
through the spoilers 3 and through the universal adapter holder 2. As
illustrated in FIG. 24, each
spoiler 3 includes an area to receive the wiping element 7, and the wiping
element 7, as shown in
FIG. 48, includes two opposing grooves that engage this area of the spoiler 3.
A top portion of the
wiping element 7 can engage a surface (e.g., interior surface) of each of the
spoilers 3 to fix the
wiping element 7 in place.
[00141] FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the wiping element 7 according to an
embodiment of the
present invention.
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[00142] FIG. 50 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5, and a first end cap 4 installed on a first end of the wiper blade
assembly and a second end
of the wiper blade assembly to receive a second end cap 4.
[00143] FIG. 51 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5, a first end cap 4 installed on a first end of the wiper blade assembly
and a second end of
the wiper blade assembly to receive a second end cap 4, and a wiping element
7.
[00144] FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the wiper blade assembly according to
an embodiment
of the present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the
springs 6, the center
mounting base 5, the wiping element 7, and a first end cap 4 installed on a
first end of the wiper
blade assembly and a second end of the wiper blade assembly to receive a
second end cap 4.
[00145] FIG. 53 is a top view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5, the wiping element 7, and a first end cap 4 installed on a first end
of the wiper blade
assembly and a second end of the wiper blade assembly having the first element
4.1 of the second
end cap 4.
1001461 FIG. 54 is a side view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5, the wiping element 7, and a first end cap 4 installed on a first end
of the wiper blade
assembly and a second end of the wiper blade assembly having the first element
4.1 of the second
end cap 4.
[00147] FIG. 55 is an end view of the wiper blade assembly according to an
embodiment of the
present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the springs
6, the center mounting
base 5, the wiping element 7, and a first end cap 4 installed on a first end
of the wiper blade
assembly and a second end of the wiper blade assembly having the first element
4.1 of the second
end cap 4.
[00148] FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the wiper blade assembly according to
an embodiment
of the present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the
springs 6, the center
mounting base 5, the wiping element 7, and a first end cap 4 installed on a
first end of the wiper
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blade assembly and a second end of the wiper blade assembly having the first
element 4.1 of the
second end cap 4. An arrow is shown to indicate the insertion direction of the
first element 4.1
onto the springs 6.
[00149] FIG. 57 is a perspective view of the wiper blade assembly according to
an embodiment
of the present invention including the adapter holder 2, the spoiler 3, the
springs 6, the center
mounting base 5, the wiping element 7, a first end cap 4 installed on a first
end of the wiper blade
assembly and a second end cap 4 installed on a second end of the wiper blade
assembly. FIG. 57
shows the second element 4.2 installed onto the first element 4.1.
[00150] FIGs. 50-57 illustrate a final assembly of the wiper blade assembly.
As shown in FIGs.
50-52, the first end cap 4 is mounted and installed onto the first end of the
wiper blade assembly,
and the wiping element 7 is to be inserted into the spoiler 3 and slid until
it engages the first end
cap 4. Thereafter, the second end cap 4 is installed, starting with the first
element 4.1 of the second
end cap 4, as shown in FIGs. 54 and 56. That is, the first element 4.1 of the
second end cap 4 is
inserted into the two springs 6. Then, as shown in FIG. 57, the second element
4.2 of the second
end cap 4 is inserted into the first element 4.1 of the second end cap 4 to
complete the assembly.
[00151] FIG. 58 is a side view of a spring 6 according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 58 illustrates the curvature of a single spring 6, which is curved to
match or at least partially
match the curvature of a windshield to which the assembled windshield blade
assembly is to rest
on once assembled to a vehicle.
[00152] FIG. 59 is a top view of a spring 6 according to an embodiment of the
present invention,
illustrating the two notches and two spaced apart holes symmetrically located
about a center of the
spring 6. However, the holes may be omitted from the springs 6.
[00153] FIG. 60 is a top view of two springs 6 installed onto the center
mounting base 5 according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
1001541 FIG. 61 is a side view of the springs 6 installed onto the center
mounting base 5 according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[00155] FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view of the springs 6 installed onto the
center mounting base
according to an embodiment of the present invention about section A-A of FIG.
61.
[00156] FIG. 63 is a cross-sectional view of the springs 6 installed onto the
center mounting base
5 according to an embodiment of the present invention about section B-B of
FIG. 60.
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[00157] FIG. 64 is a cross-sectional view of the springs 6 installed onto the
center mounting base
according to an embodiment of the present invention about section C-C of FIG.
60.
[00158] FIG. 65 is a side view of the end cap according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
FIG. 66 is a bottom view of the end cap according to an embodiment of the
present invention. FIG.
67 is an end view of the end cap according to an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 68 is
bottom perspective view of the end cap according to an embodiment of the
present invention. FIG.
69 is a top perspective view of the end cap according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIGs. 65-69 are views illustrating an end cap 4 according to an alternate
embodiment of the present
application, in which the end cap is comprised of a single unitary piece, as
opposed to the
previously discussed first and second elements. As illustrated in FIG. 66, the
end cap 4 has a
locking feature (e.g., locking tabs/locking tap) situated on each side (e.g.,
on opposing horizontal
sides of a bottom interior surface of the end cap and situated along the
longitudinal axis that
provides a permanent connection between the springs 6 and the end cap 4. The
locking feature
utilizes protrusions that engage into the spring cut-out located at a side of
the springs 6 facing away
from the center. That is, each protrusion engages a spring cut-out of a
respective spring 6. The
spring cut-outs are illustrated in FIGs. 59 and 60.
[00159] FIG. 66 further illustrates a hole that permits removal and
installation of the wiping
element 7, which enhances the usability of the wiper blade assembly of the
present invention. That
is, the hole is sized to allow a user to physically grab the wiping element 7
and to pull the wiping
element 7 out from the end cap 4, and also to allow a new wiping element 7 to
be inserted through
the end cap 4 and through the rest of the blade assembly, including the
spoilers 3 and the center
mounting base 5. FIG. 68 illustrates a channel that allows the wiping element
7 to pass through
the end cap, and is shaped so as to secure the wiping element 7 to the end cap
by having a
substantially "T" shape, with the top portion of the channel of the end cap 4
retaining/securing the
wiping element 7 thereto. FIGs. 68 and 69 illustrate a protrusion that extend
away from the end
cap 4 to retain the wiping element 7, in order to ensure secure attachment of
the wiping element 7
to the wiper blade assembly.
[00160] The present invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied
in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of
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the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one
skilled in the art are
intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
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